Salaries › Chef › Massachusetts
Chef Salary in Massachusetts (2026)
$33.43 per hour · take-home ≈ $54,274/year ($4,523/month) for a single filer
Massachusetts ranks 11th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 10% above the national average. Of the 6,000 Chef jobs BLS counts in Massachusetts, the typical worker earns $69,540 a year — though pay ranges from $47,460 for newcomers to $99,270 at the top.
Chef pay range in Massachusetts
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $47,460 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $54,120 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $69,540 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $83,050 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $99,270 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 6,000 Chef jobs in Massachusetts (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Massachusetts
A median Chef salary of $69,540 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Massachusetts state income tax, a single filer keeps about $54,274 — an effective tax rate of 22.0%.
| Gross (median) | $69,540 |
| Federal income tax | −$6,469 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,320 |
| Massachusetts state income tax | −$3,477 |
| Take-home (annual) | $54,274 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,523 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Massachusetts paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Massachusetts?
- The median Chef salary in Massachusetts is $69,540 per year ($33.43 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $54,120 and $83,050.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Massachusetts?
- On the median salary of $69,540, a single filer in Massachusetts takes home about $54,274 per year ($4,523 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 22.0%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Massachusetts?
- BLS counts 6,000 Chef jobs in Massachusetts in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Massachusetts
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Massachusetts state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Massachusetts.